Senecio inaequidens (South African ragwort)

For areas where S. inaequidens is likely to invade, Cano et al. (2007) suggested surveying open shrublands and grasslands after periods of rainfall. The authors also found that disturbance is likely to enhance the spread of the species in grasslands as well as shrublands and forests.

In Colombia, pasture restoration measurements led to a decrease of S. inaequidens cover from 38% to 1%. Arrieta (2004) showed that mowing every 45 days led to a 20% reduction of seeds in the soil. The two bio-control agents Homeosoma oconequensis and Ensina hyallipennis reduced an S. inaequidens population by 50% in the Colombian Andean region (Arrieta, 2004). Removal by hand has also been shown to be effective (Arrieta, 2004). Competition and rabbit grazing significantly reduced growth and reproduction of S. inaequidens in an experiment (Scherber et al., 2003), but regrowth shoots seem to be unpalatable for rabbits.

If chemical control is applied to the plant, Arrieta (2004) suggested applying the chemicals earlier than 40 days after germination, because at this stage a rosette structure is formed that makes the plant more resistant to phenoxid, benzoic, picolinic acid and isoxazolidone herbicides. 

The economic impact of S. inaequidens is minimal, although this may change if the concerns over S. inaequidens in vineyards are realized (Michez, 1994; Mayor, 1996).